What started as a report of a disabled fishing boat drifting near the shores of Tingloy turned into a suspected fuel smuggling case.
The Philippine Coast Guard arrested eight individuals after discovering an undocumented fishing vessel carrying around 5,000 liters of diesel off Barangay Makawayan on Friday.
Authorities said one crew member admitted during questioning that both the vessel and its fuel cargo lacked proper documentation, prompting a full-scale investigation into a possible illegal fuel transfer at sea.
Of the diesel onboard, about 4,000 liters were reportedly intended as cargo, while 1,000 liters were for the vessel’s own use.
The PCG is now tracing where the fuel came from, who owns it, and whether it was meant to be sold illegally through ship-to-ship transfers.
If evidence supports the allegations, those arrested could face multiple charges involving customs violations, unmarked fuel, and the illegal trading of petroleum products.
The Coast Guard said the operation highlights its continuing campaign against fuel smuggling and other illegal maritime activities in Philippine waters.| BNN Integrated News
